Forum Recap: Getting Ready for Five-Week

The City Music Network Forum is a monthly webinar attended by members of the Berklee City Music Network. This month’s guests, Kasey Cox and Madison Denbrock, spoke about getting ready to send students to the Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program as a Berklee City Music Summer Scholar.

Dates to remember
Decisions Emails Sent Out: May 9th
Student’s Enrollment Paperwork Deadline: June 1st
Site’s Payment Deadline: Priority, June 1st, City Music June 15th

Program Dates: July 7th – August 10th
The First Week:
Saturday, July 7th: Check in to housing, program and orientation
Sunday, July 8th: Placement – ensemble & theory/musicianship
Monday, July 9th: Academic Orientations – Theory, Musicianship, Instrumental Department and Performance Perspectives
Tuesday, July 10th: Pick-up schedules
– City Music Tuesday Meetings at 1pm
Tuesday, August 7th: City Music Scholarship Concert

Prepare your students for a college experience. Their individual schedules will be similar to that of a Berklee College student, with specific class times and breaks in between. Learning how to manage their free time is new and important to understand for many students. They can utilize that free time to use practice rooms, or attend activities hosted by the Student Activities Center. Additionally, the college has a number of resources (counseling, etc.) available to the students who should be encouraged to seek them out.

College Credit. Students who earn a “B” in their courses can earn 3 college credits from Berklee. Students who go on to complete a second year at Five-Week can earn an additional 3 courses upon earning a “B” the second year. Up to six (6) total credits can be awarded to high school students who attend Five-Week. Encourage your students to be aware of this opportunity.

Auditions. Sunday,  July 8th – students will have a placement audition to determine what courses and ensembles they will be put into. Although students are always nervous, remind them this is just for placement; they’ve already auditioned and earned their summer scholarship!
 A second audition opportunity is available from Berklee during five week, hosted by the Admissions office. Students can use this to practice their audition skills, but they also have the opportunity to earn scholarships to Five-Week next summer or to Berklee College

Quick Tips:

• Ask for help
• Manage your time well
• Try-out for opportunities – this is a time to explore!
• Build relationships 


THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

Madison and other students with her site director, Regina Nixon, of Phoenix Conservatory of Music during Five-Week

Madison, a five-week alum and now Berklee student, joined us to share her tips about Five-Week as a City Music student. Her advice is listed below:

Key things to bring:


• Ethernet cable

• Computer, adapter

• Fan (you may not bring that but you’ll probably want to buy one)

• Portable phone charger

• Extra XLR and/or ¼” cable

• Only what you can carry! Don’t overpack


Don’t bring:


• Multiple instruments
• Amps

Budget.
 You’re going to spend more than you think you will

• Plan for trips on the T (subway)
• Extra shows in Boston
• Eating with friends

Preventing Burnout. 

Almost everyone gets sick during week 3; bring Emergen-C or similar
 to boost your immune system. Know your body. If you need more sleep to function well, make sure you take the time and get what you need. There will be late nights, and there is always something going on but make sure you take the time to care for yourself so you can make the most of your experience
.

Don’t talk about ratings. Everyone receives a rating from their audition; it’s tacky and difficult to talk about them. They’re only used to place you in an ensemble and as a starting place – not a determination of how “good” you are.

Auditions and Anxiety. If you’re well prepared, they will likely ask you to improv over songs you’re already familiar with
. Remember that everyone is scared, it’s “pointless” to worry. Auditioning is part of being a musician
.

Dealing with being far away from home
.

• Travel in packs
• Talk to your family/support group about how to stay safe
• Stay busy to combat homesickness
• Seek advice/support from City Music staff, and utilize the campus counseling resources

Britani Washington Has Something Important to “Say to You”

“I never doubt my talent as an artist and the ability to use my voice to educate others.” – Britani Washington, Berklee College of Music Student (Class 2018)

At an early age, Britani took classes at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, a Berklee City Music Network partner, and she gained a greater appreciation for jazz and other genres of music. The program was invaluable and it eventually helped her and her sister to secure scholarships at Berklee College of Music to pursue their education and passion for the arts. At a very young age, Britani started singing in church with her family. It has been her faith in God that has kept her focused on reaching her goals. Yet, it wasn’t until she came to Berklee that she gained the confidence to make a career as a soloist.

Britani recalls, “I never thought that I would become an artist on my own. I was comfortable singing in groups and in the church choir. Yet, the experiences in school have helped to shape my artistry and my musical abilities to believe in my talents.”

Britani is now taking center stage singing and dancing at performances on campus and she’s excited to share her new songs to a large audience. She suggests to young performers to “find a mentor, or I would watch numerous videos of other artists perform. We all have difficult days but believe in yourself, treat it like a 9-5 job, and make that commitment!” 

Over the years, Britani recalls some of the remarkable teachers that had inspired her to become the woman and vocalist she is today. She reflected on some of her experiences singing in church, high school, the classes at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, as well as her collaboration with the faculty at Berklee College of Music. Each experience has instilled wonderful values that have kept her focused on pursuing a future career in the music business. For 45 years, the East Bay Center has been partnering with local school districts in the Bay Area creating a high-quality arts education programs for all. Students learn about vocal performance, playing instruments, dance, theater and digital media. Britani also enjoyed working alongside Tia Fuller, Tanya Butler, and other Berklee professors, while listening to some of her favorite artists from the Bay Area such as HerMusic and KehlaniMusic.

Listen to her full interview and learn more about her childhood experiences, as well as Britani’s future aspirations. Britani is thrilled to release her first music video featuring her song “Say to You,” and she hopes to encourage others to be strong, confident, and follow their dreams!

Watch now “Say to You,” a song and music video by Britani Washington

John Michael Bradford, Berklee City Music Alumnus Featured on CNN

After a time of great tragedy,  John Michael Bradford was fortunate to discover his musical talent as a trombone player. Hurricane Katrina was threatening his community in Louisiana and he was forced to evacuate his home with his family. They quickly left everything behind and moved to San Antonio, Texas to stay at a family friend’s house.

On his trip, John Michael met Sam Williams, a trombone player that had been a part of the brass band called the Dirty Dozen, and he is now the leader of the band called Big Sam’s Funky Nation. “We were listening to some music in the car, singing along and I pretended to play the trombone,” recalls John Michael. Music was always part of John Michael’s life, as his mom and sister are singers, and his grandfather played the trumpet in high school. At a very challenging time when his family had to uproot their lives, music became a wonderful way to bring everyone together and Sam changed his life forever.

John Michael Bradford: Berklee Student

Today, John Michael is a celebrated artist in the brass community and he is recognized for his talents. He has performed in New Orleans, Japan, Cuba, Switzerland, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as played at the GRAMMYS, and Carnegie Hall. A former Berklee City Music alumnus, John Michael is soon to complete Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor degree of Music in Performance. His first album came out last year called, “Something Old, Something New,” and he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship.

 

“Sam was the first time I had been around a trombone, and his sound is so big and warm. It really made me feel good to hear music and that New Orleans funky style.”
– John Michael Bradford

Recently, John Michael was featured on CNN in a personal interview, as he recounts his experiences and ability to rise above the tragic events of Katrina “My favorite thing is about playing and making people feel good. It’s incredible because I always think back to Katrina,” recalls John. After the storm passed, John Michael went back to his hometown to nurture his talents and signed up for lessons using his grandfather’s instrument. He wanted to play the trombone and he became one of the youngest members to join the Tipitina’s Foundation. Donald Harrison, a Berklee alum and the Program Director, recognized John’s gift of musical performance. The after-school program is a Berklee City Music Network member and focuses on jazz performance for young artists. Many students that have completed the program have been selected to receive summer scholarships to Berklee City Music’s Five-Week intensive training.

John Michael recalls, “As far back as I can remember, I looked up to Donald and I wanted to follow in his footsteps at Berklee College of Music. Donald taught me everything about jazz and I gained his respect.” At 21-years-old, John Michael has been fortunate to meet and perform with many popular musicians early on in his career. He had the opportunity to work with The Meters guitarist, Leo Nocentelli, a Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, as well as with trumpeters Christian Scott, and study under the guidance of Sean Jones, Berklee’s chair of the Brass Department.

Over the years, John Michael has been influenced by other musicians including Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, Herbie Hancock, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars. “Bruno is great and he has an amazing ability to do all styles of music that appeals to different audiences. I would love an opportunity to work with him in the future, as well as JT.”  

Music is the universal language that brings people together from around the world. John Michael aspires to become one of the many great jazz performers idolized by others after he graduates Berklee. At a young age, he has meet with many influential people during a difficult circumstance and turn it into a rewarding opportunity. “For me, it was a tragedy turned into a blessing,” John Michael says. “I think music can turn a tragedy into something that’s beautiful because it can touch so many people.”

Learn more about the Berklee City Music Network, and the online educational portal for music teachers called the PULSE.

Phoenix Conservatory of Music Awarded National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award

Berklee City Music is pleased to announce that on the evening of November 9, 2017, the Phoenix Conservatory of Music — a longstanding partner of Berklee City Music Network and PULSE — was granted the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Award in Washington D.C.

PCM students Marcus Wolf (16), Lourde Childs (13), and Michael Rodriguez (15) were representatives of Phoenix Conservatory of Music at the event, travelling from Arizona to the Nation’s Capital to find out that their organization’s College Prep Program is an awardee for the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.  Childs and Rodriguez gave a stunning performance of Man In The Mirror recorded by Michael Jackson on live TV, which was observed by the Phoenix community at a viewing party that evening.

The NAHYP Award is the highest honor in the country that can be given to an out of school arts program.  There were only 12 awardees chosen from a pool of 350 nominations from 46 states.  Recipients of this award are recognized as the most outstanding programs in the country for providing creative youth development programs, exemplifying how arts and humanities outside of school enrich the lives of young people by teaching new skills, nurturing creativity, and building self-confidence.

The Phoenix Conservatory of Music offers a high quality music education to hundreds of students each year, with programs ranging from introductory-level music to advanced private lessons and the most prestigious College Prep Program for contemporary music education in the Arizona — the Berklee College of Music’s City Music and PULSE programs.  The affordable and accessible program has provided a path for students to achieve their dreams in music since its outset in 2010.  Students in grades 4-12 are provided with weekly private lessons, music theory classes, and Popular Music Ensembles. PCM has a graduation rate of 95% (compared to 86% in the local community and 77% in the state), and a 71% rate of students who go to a college or university. 43% of those students go on to study music professionally.

City Music Alumna Q and A: Gerami Groover

Gerami Groover was awarded a Berklee City Music full-tuition scholarship to the Five-Week Summer Performance Program, as well as, a City Music College Scholarship to Berklee. She has continued to take advantage of the opportunities City Music and Berklee has to offer.

When did you graduate from Berklee Valencia and what projects have you been pursuing since?
I received my master in Music Technology Innovation from Berklee Valencia on July 14, 2014.” Since then “I have been teaching full-time as a music educator within the Boston area.”

What were you doing in South Africa?
“I recently traveled to Swaziland, a kingdom located inland of South Africa, via the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative as their first reverse exchange fellow. I was in Swaziland for two weeks during the month of August providing and organizing a two week formal music workshop program entitled Emandla Emculo (Power of Music) for 150 Swazi youth (ages 8-18) in the town of Lobamba.”

What takeaways do you have from your experience in South Africa?
“There were so many takeaways from my experience in Swaziland, one being understanding fully the power of music and the impact it can have across cultural barriers, and the importance of providing access to arts education to more communities regardless of socio-economic status.”

Tell us about what it means to be chosen for the Mandela Washington for Young African Leaders Initiative- Reverse Exchange Fellowship?
“The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has been active for less than five years now, each year sending a cohort of around 1,000 young professionals and aspiring leaders from sub-saharan africa, whom are believed to be the next leaders of their country to the USA. These inspiring group of young people partake in a six-week residence at a US university and work closely with the Obama administration in building international relations and networking with local business, civic, and political leaders here in the USA.

The question was asked to President Obama during his meeting with the YALI’15 fellows, how can this initiative be a proper exchange if only Africans are coming to America, we need Americans to do the same and partake in an initiative here in Africa. As a result, President Obama and his administration created the Reverse Exchange fellowship, American professionals that would be identified and recommended by YALI fellows as individuals who would be great ambassadors and carry out the vision that President Obama has for YALI but in reverse, American professionals establishing international relations with young african leaders and creating an initiative that will continue annually. I was selected to be a part of the first American cohort (only 8 were selected) and I was the first American to be awarded and complete an initiative.”

What’s next on the horizon for you, and what are your ultimate career goals?
“I am currently continuing my partnership with YALI, specifically continuing my works with two YALI fellows from Swaziland. Working together to address some of the challenges facing providing music and arts education to the country of Swaziland. I will be returning back to Swaziland to organize the second year of Emandla Emculo Youth Music Program. I am expanding my work that has been done with YALI and continuing the vision and initiative to other areas of the globe, teaming up with artists from Latin America, Europe and sub-saharan Africa via my project Gerami Groover Presents.”

Read more about Groover and her experience with City Music and Berklee.

Student Testimonial: Santiago Guzman

My experience at this year’s Berklee five-week has been extravagant to say the least. Filled with twists and turns throughout meeting people and making music. The first day I landed in Boston I already saw people flooding the practice rooms and I knew I had found my Candy land. I ended up making music with my neighbors which then turned into me building relationships with other people. I was spending hours on end in the learning center (which Berklee offers to us five-weekers) trying to learn the basics of Ableton and sampling, or if I brought a producer down there with me to make a beat while I was in the other room writing. I’m also staying in contact with many musicians after five-week so we can email each other the projects we are working on and be able to contribute to the projects.

These past 5 weeks have been some of the most productive weeks I’ve had in my life and I want to thank the Motivational Edge program because without them it would not have been possible for me to have done ANY of this. I deeply appreciate everyone who contributed to my go fund me so I can eat 3 times a day and my mom for supporting me and my dreams.

-Santiago ‘Santi’ Guzman

Guest Post: Performing for Hiatus Kaiyote

“My experience as the piano player for the Hiatus Kaiyote ensemble was truly a unique one. I had the responsibility of arranging Borderline With my Atoms for several members of the band. Given that Hiatus Kaiyote is known for their extremely tricky time signatures and groove manipulations, arranging a song like that was a daunting task to say the least!

After having spent several hours writing everything down, it was time to rehearse the actual song. I had listened to each segment of Borderline so many times before to get each part down that it naturally was up to me to direct the cues. During the rehearsals, everything went really well for that song, but I became pretty nervous when it was time to actually perform for the band. It was such a surreal experience seeing the band right in front of me and directing the cuts and cues that they themselves had written!

I have to thank the band for doing such a great job with the arrangement and representing City Music in front of such a prestigious band so well. The hours of work put into all three of the songs will be long remembered, and I believe that my musically oriented leadership skills have improved a great deal based on my participation in this fantastic ensemble.”

– Alex Flavell

 

Five-Week Alumni Advice: Henry Oyekanmi Jr.

Henry just graduated Berklee College of Music after attending the Five-Week Summer Performance Program and being awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee at the Scholarship Concert.

Do you have any tips for this year’s incoming Five-Week students?
Stay humble. Everybody in the program is talented. Stay focused, and go to every class. Remember that not everybody gets an opportunity to be in the seat you’re in. Take full advantage of the opportunity. Talk to people and become friends with them. The more you socialize and meet people, it will be beneficial in the future.

To read more about Henry, click here.
Follow Henry @YOUNGKINGHENRY

Countdown to Five Week

Here are five things you need to know as you head to Boston:

The FIVE City Music ensembles featured at five week:

• Jazz
• Pop/Rock
• Choral
• Big Band
• Pop/R&B

FOUR reflections on five-week from prior students:

• “Inspirational” said Ethan Wahl from Washington, DC.
• “Immersive” said Angus Algrant from Manhattan, NY.
• “Enlightening” said Alyssa McDoom from Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
• “Liberating” said Clarke Jackson from Baltimore, MD.

THREE places you can listen to live music in Boston, Massachusetts at walking distance from Berklee:

• The Red Room @ Cafe 939
• The Caf Shows
• Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen

TWO upcoming City Music events to look forward to:

• The Jam Session
• The Scholarship Concert

The ONE most essential tool you will need as you roam the Berklee Campus: the Berklee Campus Map.

 

Five Week Alumni Advice: Dustin

This is a guest post by Dustin from BCMN site Bahama Village Music Program in Key West, Florida. Dustin attended five-week in 2015.

What did you find most rewarding about your five-week experience? The Five week program is rewarding program that influences and inspires the younger generation to pursue music and to enhance their musical skills. The reason I say this is because I learned more about the music and the different styles there are when I attended the program than I did before. The program is very rewarding in senses that it is up to the student to do the work instead of parents telling them to did it or the teacher asking if they have done their work. They are treated as actual college students and have college like schedules.

What surprised you most about your experience? The surprising thing about the program is the amount of students that attended. I figured that with the music industry and the artificial music that is being created with autotune and such that there would be a decline in people playing musical instruments. How friendly the community was to the students attending the five week program and the staff was very helpful when I asked for directions or was curious about a place.

What piece of advice would you give a student who is attending for the first time? For the the new comers of the five week this a little piece of advice. Be your self and have a wonderful time with your class mates and go out and explore the surrounding city. If you think you seen it all you would be mistaken. Don’t be afraid afraid to talk to new people because they might have something in common with you.